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Sickness absence of more than three days, Q4 2002

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Published: 13 March 2003

Lower growth in sickness absence in 2002

Whereas the sickness absence rate increased from 6.7 to 6.9 per cent from the fourth quarter 2001 to the fourth quarter 2002, the yearly growth gradually declined in 2002. The absence rate declined from 0.4 percentage points in the first quarter to 0.2 in the fourth. A decrease in the sickness absence in health and social work contributed to this.

This article refers to sickness absence certified by a doctor unless something else is stated. In about one month we will also have information about the self-certified absence and thus total sickness absence rate for the fourth quarter of 2002.

Decrease in health and social work

Sickness absence in health and social work decreased from 9.1 per cent in the fourth quarter 2001 to 9.0 per cent in the fourth quarter 2002. This is a large industry, which has a considerable influence on the total sickness absence rate. The absence rate in health and social work decreased from 6.6 to 6.2 per cent for men and from 9.7 to 9.6 per cent for women. The industries financial intermediation, public administration and education showed no change in sickness absence.

Increase in construction and business activities

Sickness absence in construction increased from 6.8 to 7.3 per cent from the fourth quarter 2001 to the corresponding quarter 2002. Business activities increased from 5.1 to 5.5 per cent in the same period.

Decrease among the oldest

The sickness absence decreased in the age groups 60-64 and 65-66. The age groups between 45-59 had a lower increase in the absence than the average. Women aged 25-29 had an increase in their sickness absence of 0.4 per cent.

Still increase in Østfold

Østfold continues the strong increase, from 7.6 to 8.0 per cent. Only Finnmark has higher sickness absence in the fourth quarter 2002. Hedmark and Oppland are also approaching the highest level of sickness absence among the counties after increases by 0.3 and 0.4 respectively. Both have sickness absence rates by 7.8 per cent. Troms and Nordland had no increase in the sickness absence in the fourth quarter 2002 compared with the corresponding quarter 2001. Finnmark had a modest increase of 0.1 percentage points, to 8.4 per cent.

Sickness absence statistics in Statbank Norway

Statbank Norway is a service containing detailed statistics on the Internet. The English version will be online soon and will contain sickness absence statistics by sex, age, industry and county of residence.